RP starting to catch up with Europe’s modern ceramic technology

(Conclusion)

The modern method of preparing the material avoids the use of impure clay which deforms because of moisture and air, Dominic Dycoco explains. "The plasticity of the clay here is high. I tried to design a figure measuring about one-fourth inch thick and it didn’t break even by firing at high temperature," he added. The processed clay is made up of 60 percent red clay and 40 percent feldspar.

He said the ceramics industry in the country is just starting to catch up with the advance ceramic technology in other countries in Europe.

"Their technology is much advanced using continuous turned kilns in heating ceramic products up to five times," Miranda said.

Ceramics industry in Europe is focused on large commercial production while that in the Philippines is focused more on decorative ceramics, he added.

Dycoco said the modern method of processing clay starts by feeding the freshly dug clay into a boil mill for about eight hours.

Then, the processed material passes through the agitating screen to remove the sand and is then pumped into the blunders and filter press for 12 hours to remove the water.

Later, it passed through a pug mill to remove the air. Then, you have a ready clay to mold and design.

Using the throwing method, the clay is formed into various designs. And then the finished product is air dried before being placed inside a modern kiln for firing (final heating) for about eight hours at 800 degrees Fahrenheit. The formed ware is placed inside a kiln to remove the liquid water carefully without cracking and warping.

"We are urging all our members to take advantage of this center," said Hector Torrente, 39, president of the 43-member Putsan Ceramics Manufacturers Association. Of the total number of members only 10 are using the facilities of the center, he added.

The association with the support of the center has conducted trainings to 72 participants in groups of six on throwing technique from May to June this year.

"Our main problem is the lack of capital to be able to meet various orders," said Torrente. He said he entered the industry by borrowing P5,000 from a relative.

He earns more from buyers who make large orders from November to December. The order slackens from May to June.

Thousands of terra-cotta products inside the center are stacked waiting for prospective buyers from around the country, especially from Metro Manila.

Dycoco said another potential for ceramics industry is to branch to manufacturing roofing tiles to replace galvanized iron in the future. The project has already been started in the 1980s. The project eventually folded up due to lack of funding.

The clay material here has a high plastic character which is ideal for manufacturing ceramic products.

Dycoco said at least 20,000 metric tons can be obtained from about 10,000 square meters at one meter thickness.

Mayor Patricia Gutierrez said the municipality is looking forward for the ceramic industry to take off.

"I want the industry to boom so it will help propel the local economy starting from barangays of Baybay, Bolo and Putsan," said Gutierrez.

Gutierrez said 80 percent of the villagers in Barangay Putsan and another 60 percent of the residents in Barangay Bolo as well as 30 percent in Barangay Baybay are dependent on the clay industry here.

She said Tiwi has become popular for producing jars, cooking pots, flower pots, drinking jars and toys which are sold as far as Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur, to nearby-island of Samar and Leyte and as far as Manila and other parts of the country. Export items are wall decorations, stoneware and decorative jars and vases among others.

"We want our ceramic products to be on par or surpass those produced in other countries in the coming years," said Gutierrez.